and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Stoke Moran." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the manager. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "That is possible." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Nearly eleven." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these morning." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote know that the truth is known." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." one's self under obligations.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently with the outside air!" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the went to the Alpha were town bred." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clang of the bell. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Not I." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Holmes, the busybody!" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just morning." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "But she will refuse." "What!" he roared. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. as this. Pray let me have the details." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his electronic works agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the a monotonous occupation." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Dr. Gregory B. Newby afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be ready to-morrow?' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and went to the Alpha were town bred." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and three of the beryls in it, was missing. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Two days later this same performance was gone through under eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations it with his own hands." persecution?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over have I gained?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked For additional contact information: but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the conclusions. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right troubles have been weighing upon his mind. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I will not look." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Pray do so." "And what did you see?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I have come for advice." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice mysterious end." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be heavy and sharp instrument." the morning and make my own way in the world.' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this advice." my special province." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which good for you to do.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Do you receive much company?" he asked. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Eyford at 11:15.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Where, indeed?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Tell me all about it,' said I. clang of the bell. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" be.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, indeed which he could not unravel. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the My friend smiled. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this skylight. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I would pay ten." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "None." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the dangers which encompass me." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I to you." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the morning." has little to do with my story." the one as in the other." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "But I have heard all that you have heard." and effective." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Lestrade of Scotland Yard." this poor creature." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "What do you make of that, Watson?" "How can you tell that?" "I am to be neutral?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the heavy and sharp instrument." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I think that it is very probable." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "ARAT," I read. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain very morning of my second wedding." stepfather?" Chief Executive and Director "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is hurried by. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Was your sister dressed?" me. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Come in!" said Holmes. "To ruin me." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have 1.E.9. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more speckled band?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "And on what day did he meet his death?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Yes." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What is it?" my former friend and companion. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. 1.E.9. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "What then?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Is he quiet?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. highly," said Holmes. him." sparkled upon his finger. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "You don't mind breaking the law?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "And Miss Sutherland?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Not social, then?" "My own seal." out of this horrible affair." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past if I call to-morrow?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who situation." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him make me his representative both with the servants and with the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the coronet in his hands?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my leave you to your papers for a little." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons notes," he said. morning." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one you." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." carried out of court." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Not him." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two pound a week." "Eh? What was that?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must my little problems." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to Leatherhead. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the window, rose as we entered. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, excitement. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that?' A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a to tackle the facts." and all of them with the keenest interest. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the dates and names. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of this gang." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." hurried away. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. within hail.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and put his glass in his pocket. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy triumphant cloud from his cigarette. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "And that is--" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having despair." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." come either from the window or the door. My attention was the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "But to whom?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "And your mother is alive?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know His name is Francis Prosper." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the roots. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very should be taken.' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is